Philip J. Francabandera Sr.

Philip was the loving husband of Gertrude (Giardella) Francabandera. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on June 19, 2012. He was born in New York City, N.Y., on Sept. 24, 1928, and was a son of the late Luca and Maria (Chicarico) Francabandera.

Philip was the owner and operator of Bandera Inc. in Hazleton, where he manufactured ceramic sinks for more than 20 years until retiring.

He served our country with dedication and courage in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 0945 in Harrisburg and American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert.

He was an active member of the former Christ the King Catholic Church in Blakeslee. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 14392 in Blakeslee and Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 981 in Mount Pocono and a member of the Sons of Italy. He served our community as a former Tunkhannock supervisor and volunteered at Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilkes-Barre for many years.

We have been blessed with the presence of Philip in our lives. He will be missed by his loving and devoted wife, Gertrude; his six children and their spouses: Marianne Laurito and her husband, Richard, of Moscow; Lucy Easterday and her husband, Scott, of Lehighton; Theresa DiPasquale and her husband, Peter, of Dublin; Philip Francabandera Jr. and his wife, Juliedy, of Sinking Springs; Vincent Francabandera and his wife, Lisa, of Mountaintop; and Frank Francabandera and his wife, Laura, of Sinking Springs.

He is also survived by three sisters: Lucy Roberti and her husband, Gene, of Seaford, N.Y.; Rose Mastanduno and her husband, George, of East Meadow, N.Y.; and Dora Pezzino of Moncks Corner, S.C.; one brother, Frank Francabandera and his wife, Fran, of Monroe, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Philip was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosemarie Francabandera on July 4, 1999, and two siblings, Leo Francabandera and Bessie Dionisio.

Family and friends are welcome to offer their condolences from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, with vigil prayers and knights services during the evening hours, at Donald N. Gower Funeral Home Inc., Route 209, Gilbert.

Additional viewing will be held from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Gilbert.

Philip will be interred next to his daughter at Buena Vista Cemetery in Brodheadsville, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in loving memory of Philip J. Francabandera to: United Cerebral Palsy Foundation of Northeastern Pennsylvania, 425 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.